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Drug gives extra months of life to MVD dogs

Many will already know of Pimobendan as it is widely used for MVD dogs, but this is very interesting. Simon Swift is the cardiologist who has worked with the UK Club and is currently urging them to be far more proactive about MVD and their breeding practices. This is from www.ukpets.co.uk.

Monday 10 July 2006Canine Heart Drug Breakthrough

Dogs suffering from heart failure can gain an extra nine months of life
over conventional treatments by using a newer therapy, according to a
new study.

The most common heart disease in dogs is caused by degeneration of the
heart valves, causing them to become leaky.

The study found that dogs with congestive heart failure, due to valve
problems, treated with a conventional ACE inhibitor lived on average for
128 days – some four months. However those who started on the newer
drug, pimobendan (Vetmedin, Boehringer Ingelheim), lived on average 415
days – around 13 months.

The study also found a rapid response to the newer treatment. Boehringer
claims that within seven days over 50% of dogs were symptom free.

Around 20,000 dogs a year in the UK develop a type of heart failure
called mitral valve disease. The problem is most common in small breeds,
with Cavalier King Charles spaniels being especially vulnerable.

Overall, of the 6 million dogs in the UK around one in ten (10%) will be
diagnosed with various forms of heart disease during their lifetime.

Mr Simon Swift, a veterinary cardiologist from Liverpool University, who
has a special interest in canine heart problems, said the latest study
added to a growing pool of data that pimobendan increased longevity as
well as improving quality of life.

"The evidence increasingly pointed to pimobendan being used as
first-line treatment for canine heart failure rather than an ACE
inhibitor, instead of being kept in reserve as rescue therapy," he said.

Does anyone know if mitral valve repair or replacement is actually performed in canines ? I have heard of pimobendan being increasingly used in preference to enalapril, but am not sure if surgery is an option for dogs with MVD.

AmandaOwned by doglets Elliot the Opportunist and Duchess Millie Mischief

Laura Lang once posted about this -- apparently there has been one known replacement and it required months of 24/7 care of the dog before it recovered. The owner was a vet nurse herself and could supply the care. Apparently the valve surgeries are not generally successful in dogs but I don't recall the reason why.

Karlin, given the confidence of your advice, I was able to really discuss Cailean's treatment tonight.

Over the last 7 days, his cough has NOT diminished at all. I told the vet I wasn't happy with the lack of improvement, because Declan always improved within 48 hours of his meds. being adjusted.

I said I would like him to be on Vetmedin and she said there was different schools of thought about the drug. I told her I believe that the pro's outweigh the cons, particularly as Cailean's life-expectancy is relatively short.

She agreed to switch him from Fortekor to Vetmedin and to drop the Frusemide for a week.

I'm pleased she is ready to plan his treatment with me. The plan is to start him off on Vetmedin only, see how he goes over a week and if his panting sounds 'wet' in the meantime, to start him back on frusemide.

At least I know what he sounds like when he gets fluidy.

The sad part is that she agrees that Declan had a good innings after presenting with his cough - about 8 months , but we do know what we're dealing with in Cailean anyway.